Fuse and switch box



Jul 1e 23, 1931.

A. B. RYPINSKI 1,811,650 I FUSE AND SWITCH BOX Filed April 25. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor v ALBERrfi fiyP/Ms/w,

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June 23, 1931. A. B. RYPINSKI FUSE AN D SWITCH BOX I Filed April 25. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m WMAEEE I l I I I u I III,

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FUSE AND SWITCH BOX Filed April 25; 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1' I I I I I I K I! I I 24 50 71 y 70 I 37 o I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 l l 1% I I 4 x Elvweutoz ALBE/iffi RrP/Ns/w. WW

June 23, 1931 B, RYPlNSK] 1,811,650

FUSE AND SWITCH BOX Filed April 25, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Showhtoz ALBE/Pffi [PYP/NJKA Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE;

\ ALBERT IB. RYPINSKI, OI LAURELTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO METROPOLITAN DE- 'V'IOE CORPORATION, 01 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK nos]; m swrzron :Box

' 'Application filed April 25,

My invention relates more particularly to a box in which the fuse and switchare so associated that the switch must be opened before the fuse can be exposed for replacement.

terminals within the box, and further to provide a grounding of the fuse when ex posed for replacement. Other objects are toprovide a device of the above indicated t pe in which when the.

fuse carrier is expose to permit replacement. of a fuse, it is outside of the fuse box and is readily accessible, and in which there is noopportunity for accidental contact with the live terminals within the box. A. further object of the invention is to rovide acompact, unitary structure of the se and switch elements having a minimum of parts, and in which the fuse contacts serve for locking the box-in closed position.

With these and other objects in view which will appear from the following description,

the invention comprises the fuse and switch box described and set forth in the following specification and claims. I I The various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- I Fig. 1 is a perspective view, in closed position, of a fuse'and switch box embodying a preferred form of the invention, a pbrtion of the box being broken away to showthe interior. construction.

- Fig. 2 is a perspective view ,of the fuse and switch box in open position.

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views of the switches and box embodying the other forms of the invention, and

1929. Serial m. 351979.

the box is closed the fuse may be connected in the electric circuit, but in which the box can be opened and the fuse exploded only after the fuse terminals have been disconnected from the circuit. .When the fuse ter-'- minals have been disconnected, the fuse socket or switch elements may be turned to exposed position and are accessible for the renewal of the fuse or for any other purpose. When thus exposed the disconnected fuse terminals are grounded and'their disengagement from the charged or'livewi'res or ma nsof the circuit is visible, thus-reas'snringthe user against contact with-"thechargedljmain or live wires. I; The fuse or switch elemen may mount; ed on a cover plate and contained-either en tirely within the switch and'gfiisie box','or the cover plate may be hollowed to entirelyicontain the fuse and switch elements, or the elements may be contained partly in the cover and artly in the box when the cover is closed ontelatter.

In the drawings the same reference character indicates the same partin the several views.

Referring more particularly to the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the various fuse and switch elements are mounted within a 1 box or casing 10 having the usual knock-out discs 11, through one of which enters the end 12 of a conduit carrying mains or wires 13 and 14. The upper wall 15 of the switch box 10 is provided with a circular raised portion 16 having an opening 17 through which a fuse may be inserted. Within the raised switch box 10 and extending'upwardly through the raised portion 16 and opening through the opening 17 is a fuse receiving chamber '18 of insulating material. The chamber 18 has,

within the raised portion 16, diametrically opposed recesses 19 in which are positioned contact terminal clips 20 and 21 forthe wires 13 and 14 respectively. Fig. 7 is a face view of a cover and a box The opening 17 is closed by means of a fuse and switch carrying cover plate 22 mounted on the-switch box cover 15 b the hinge 23.

On the under or inner side 0 the plate 22 is mounted a rotatable socket 24 for a. fuse 25, the base of the socket 24 being connected through an opening on the cover plate 22 to a knob 26 on the outer side of the cover plate. The cover plate 22 is engaged between a flange 27 on the knob 26 and a flange 28 on the fuse socket base 26': in such a manner that the knob and fuse socket may turn freely on the cover plate.

Also placed in diametrically opposite positions on the fuse socket 2 1- .are fuse switch blades 29 and 30 which, in the position shown in Fig. 2, may pass downwardly through the notches 31 and 32 respectively, extending in diametrically opposite positions from the opening 17 and in a direction at right angles to the pintle of the hinge 23. The switch blades 29 and 30 are spaced downwardly a short distance from the under surface of the cover plate 22 so that when the cover plate 22 is closed and the knob 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction in the arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings, the end portions of the blades 29 and 30 enter curved or circular grooves 33 that extend beneath the raised portion 16 of the switch box cover 15 from the notches 31 and 33 to the receptacles 19, thus enabling the switch blades to be turned to be received in the contact clips 20 and 21. When the end portions of the switch blades 29 and 30 enter the grooves 33, they also serve to lock the cover plate 22 against opening.

From the above description it will be apparent that when the switch blades 29 and 30 are in contact with the live terminals 20 and 21, the switch box is closed and access cannot be had to the fuse 25. Before the switch box can be opened to give access to the fuse 25, the knob 26 must be turned to such a position that the contact blades 29 and 30 can pass upwardly through the notches 31 and 32, and the cover must be tilted upwardly as shown in Fig. 2. In this position it is entirely disconnected from the live terminals. Moreover, the blade 30 1nay be arranged as shown in Fig. 2 to contact with the switch box at the notches 32, as shown in Fig. 3, thus grounding the fuse and ensuring it against being charged in any way with electric po tential. When raised for removal or replacement the fuse is freely exposed and in the open air so that it is readly accessible, and the switch terminals being contained within the recess 19 afford no possibility for accideniia contact during the replacement of the "uses The switch and fuse carrier may be mounted either on the main cover of the fuse box or, as shown in Fig. 3, they may be mounted -ona separate closure or cover. In this figure;

the box 10 is provided with a main cover 33 on the top portion of the box and the insulating chamber 18 that contains the fuse or.

switch may be mounted in an opening in the side wall 34: of the box. The terminals 20 and 21 are mounted within the chamber 18 similarly to the mounting of the terminals in the form shown in Fig. 1, and are secured in position by means of, bolts 35 and 36 that connect the terminals 21 and 22 to binding posts 37 and 38 of the electric circuit.

In the form shown in Fig. 3 thewall 34: is

not raised to enclose the chamber 18, but the -Main wires 10 and 41 which have a suficient length to permit the cover 39 and with it the chamber 18 to be lifted upwardly to expose the interior of the box. The projecting portion of the chamber 18 is enclosed and covered by an auxiliary cover 4-2 hinged at 13 on the main cover and containing a rotatable switch 41- and a knob 45 similar in its construction and operation to the switch elements and knobs of the preceding figures.

Tn the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the insulating chamber 18 is contained entirely within the box and is mounted on the support 16 on the bottom of the box. The cover 4L7 ofthe box is flat, having on its outer surface a rotatable knob 26 and having the fuse socket 2 1 and switch blades 29 and 30 supported from the inner surface of the cover entirely within the box 10.

The form of the invention shown in Fig 6 is entirely similar to that of Fig. 5 but omits the fuse socket 24 and, for the switch blades, uses a simple bar 48 supported on a splndle it? projecting from the knob 24 to the cover 1 Several fuses and switch terminals maybe mounted on a single cover or cover plate in such a manner that all of the switches or fuses must be turned to the off"position be fore the cover plate can be opened. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 7 in which a cover plate or wall 50 of the fuse and switch box is provided with fuses and switch covers 51 and 52 hinged at 53 and 54, respectively, on the wall or cover 50. Each of the cover plates 51 and 52 is provided with a number of fuses or switches having projecting knobs 55 and 56, respectively. These knobs and the fuse and switch elements formed thereby may be turned individually either of off or on position as indicated in the figures. To enable either of the covers 51 or 52 to be lifted to open position, each of the knobs 55 or 56 must be turned to the off position, thus ensuring that no switch element connected to a live terminal shall be exposed when the door or cover is open.

' As changes of construction could be made within the scope of my invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a-limiting sense.

What I claim is: L

' 1.. Apparatus of the type described which 2. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a switch box having a-fuse'receiving opening, contact terminals at opposite sides of said opening, a cover for said opening, a fuse carrier on said cover having a fuse socket at the innerside of said cover, and contacts for said fuse carrier adapted when in one position to pass through said opening and enter said box upon the closing of said cover and rotatable to engage said terminals within said box after closing said cover.

3. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a switch box having a fuse receiving opening, contact terminals at opposite sides of said opening, a cover hinged on said box to close said opening, a fuse carrier on said cover having a fuse socket at the inner side of said cover, and contacts on said fuse carrier positioned to contact with said box when said cover is opened and adapted to pass through said opening and enter said box upon closing said cover and rotatable within said box to engage said terminal after closing said cover.

4. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a box having a fuse receiving opening in its top wall and a pair of notches extending on diametrically opposite sides of said opening, a cover for said openinghinged on said box at one end of one of said notches, a rotatable fuse carrier having a fuse socket at the inner face of said cover and a pair of contact terminals adapted to pass through said notches and be rotated beneath and engage said top wall of said box,

and contact'terminals positioned to be engaged by said fuse terminals when turned beneath said top wall. a 4 5. Apparatus of the type described Which comprises a box having terminals for connection in an electric" circuit, a closure for said box, a fuse mounted on said closure and having contacts to contact with said terminals, and means to'ground said contacts when said fuse is ex osed.

6. Apparatus of t e type described which comprises a box. having fuse terminals, a I

fuse, means for supporting said fuse in contact with said terminals. and for exposing and grounding said fuse.

. tion'.

.- 7, Apparatus of the type described which comprises a switch box having an opening,

a hinged coverfor said'opening, a rotatable fuse'socket and switch element mounted on said hinged cover, and contacts'on said socket to engage fixed contacts within said box. 8. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a switch box, a dielectric bas'e in said switch box, fixed contact clips mounted on said dielectric base, a hinged cover for said box, a carrier mounted on the cover of said box and having rotating contact blades adapted to contact with said contact clips when said coveris closed, and means for locking said cover in closed'position when said switch blades have been rotated into contact-with said contact clips. I

9. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a switch box, a fixed dielectric base therein, fixed contacts mounted on said base,

a main cover for the box and having an opening, a supplemental cover for said opening hinged to the main cover, a combined switch, contact and fuse carrier on said supplemental cover for co-operation with the fixed contacts on said base and journaled on the supplemental. cover to lock said cover in closed position when contacting with said fixed contacts and to permit said cover to be swung to open position only .when said switch contacts are disconnected from said fixed contacts.

comprises a switch box having fixed contacts in its interior and having an opening,

- 10. Apparatus of the type described which i a hinged cover forsaid opening, a rotatable fuse and contacts on. the inner side of said cover and being rotatable from the outer side of said cover, said contacts being rotatable,

when said cover is in closed position, to be engaged by the contacts .of said switch box and lock said cover in closed position, and means to prevent the rotation ofsaid contacts or fuse when the cover is in open posi- In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 

